Molecules (Oct 2022)

Structure and Computational Studies of New Sulfonamide Compound: {(4-nitrophenyl)sulfonyl}tryptophan

  • Florence Uchenna Eze,
  • Chigozie Julius Ezeorah,
  • Blessing Chinweotito Ogboo,
  • Obinna Chibueze Okpareke,
  • Lydia Rhyman,
  • Ponnadurai Ramasami,
  • Sunday Nwankwo Okafor,
  • Groutso Tania,
  • Simeon Atiga,
  • Thomas Ugochukwu Ejiyi,
  • Mirabel Chinasa Ugwu,
  • Chiamaka Peace Uzoewulu,
  • Jude Ikechukwu Ayogu,
  • Ogechi Chinelo Ekoh,
  • David Izuchukwu Ugwu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27217400
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 27, no. 21
p. 7400

Abstract

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Synthesis of sulfonamide through an indirect method that avoids contamination of the product with no need for purification has been carried out using the indirect process. Here, we report the synthesis of a novel sulfonamide compound, ({4-nitrophenyl}sulfonyl)tryptophan (DNSPA) from 4-nitrobenzenesulphonylchloride and L-tryptophan precursors. The slow evaporation method was used to form single crystals of the named compound from methanolic solution. The compound was characterized by X-ray crystallographic analysis and spectroscopic methods (NMR, IR, mass spectrometry, and UV-vis). The sulfonamide N-H NMR signal at 8.07–8.09 ppm and S-N stretching vibration at 931 cm−1 indicate the formation of the target compound. The compound crystallized in the monoclinic crystal system and P21 space group with four molecules of the compound in the asymmetric unit. Molecular aggregation in the crystal structure revealed a 12-molecule aggregate synthon sustained by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and stabilised by N-H⋯O intermolecular contacts. Experimental studies were complemented by DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. The computed structural and spectroscopic data are in good agreement with those obtained experimentally. The energies of interactions between the units making up the molecule were calculated. Molecular docking studies showed that DNSPA has a binding energy of −6.37 kcal/mol for E. coli DNA gyrase (5MMN) and −6.35 kcal/mol for COVID-19 main protease (6LU7).

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